Shutterbug Staff

Phase One A/S and Mamiya Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. today announced a strategic
alliance to develop innovative, open platform-based medium format digital camera
systems and solutions for professional photographers.

...

For
a limited time only LumiQuest will be offering the LumiQuest Bounce Kit, a 3 piece
kit that includes a Pocket Bouncer, Gold and Silver Metallic Inserts and a free
storage envelope.



The Pocket Bouncer redirects light at a 90 degree angle from the flash to soften
harsh shadows and more evenly spread the light over a wider area. A Gold insert
is ideal for late afternoon fill and the Silver insert will add a more specular
look to the highlights. Included with the Bounce Kit is a free clear storage envelope.
...

The Sigma
Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 10mm F2.8 EX DC Fisheye
HSM lens. This autofocus fisheye lens is designed for use with digital SLR cameras
equipped with APS-C size image sensors. The Nikon version produces a diagonal
angle of view of 180°; 154° for Sigma; 167° for Canon. The diagonal
field of view of this fisheye lens produces striking images with exaggerated perspective
and distortion. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch, and maximum magnification
1:3.3 allows subjects to be as close as 1.8cm/0.7inch from the lens' front
element. This close focusing capability allows close-up photography and also it
is possible to make use of large depth of field that covers wide range of subjects.
The Integral hood blocks out extraneous light and the Super Multi-Layer Coating
minimizes flare and ghosting, creating superior image quality. The HSM--Hyper
Sonic Moto--ensures fast and quiet autofocusing and allows full-time manual focus
override by rotation of the focus ring. This lens is supplied with a gelatin filter
holder at the rear, allowing the use of gelatin filters.



www.sigmaphoto.com...

Bowens has launched a unique, affordable ringflash, the lightweight Ringlite
Converter. Priced at $480.00, this innovative converter is said to make ringflash-style
photography affordable. Said Mark Aherne, Bowens technical director, "Traditional
ringflash generally comprises flash tubes, cable and a powerpack, so the full
kit required is quite unwieldy and expensive. We built the converter and followed
up with associated bracketry to ensure the unit would be suitable for most cameras
on the market. We have created an attachment which allows photographers to convert
their standard Bowens strobe lights to produce ringflash-style light. Using
this new converter photographers can simply put the camera lens through the
centre of the light source. This creates a softer, wholesome surrounding light
around the lens which reduces shadows. It can also create shadowing around the
outline of the subject so users can work with a specific photographic effect.
The additional benefit of the converter is its `backwards capability'.
Photographers can take a standard Bowens product going back many years and use
it - as long as it has an S-Type adaptor. This will bring additional cost benefits
to our customers."

...